Mr. Speaker, I believe that the success of healthy, inclusive, creative communities starts with housing as a human right. Article 25 of the UN Declaration of Human Rights assures everyone the right to housing and a dignified standard of living. Article 23 of the UN Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples invokes self-determination in health, economic and social sufficiency, and housing.

Canada's first-ever 2018 National Housing Strategy puts $40 billion behind a human rights and distinctions-based approach to housing. Housing is a key pillar to the United Nations' sustainable development goals and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The emerging international Green New Plans recognize that housing is critical to the knowledge economy and a climate-sensitive industrial system.

Why is housing so critical, Mr. Speaker? Housing is more than a roof over our heads. Safe, affordable, accessible housing has proven to support better outcomes for our people, our communities, and our social cohesion. It is the foundation for strengthening our educational outcomes, our economy, our health, and social justice. How can children be ready to learn if they have not slept? How can adults meaningfully contribute to our economy if they do not know where or how they will keep their families safe at night? How can elders age in place without appropriate accessible housing? How can communities promote inclusion, belonging, and participation without affordable housing options that connect family to our shared responsibility to care for each other?

Housing is dwelling in this land, and it is caring for this planet. Our lack of appropriate housing is making our vulnerable populations -- women and children, our Indigenous people, seniors, and people with disabilities, mental health and addiction issues -- even more vulnerable.

Mr. Speaker, when we think of our social priorities, we think of Health and Social Services, Justice, Education, and ITI delivering programs independently, but what becomes of all of those investments when a parent cannot cover rent, when a child isn't ready to learn because they have not yet slept, or when the vulnerable are homeless?

Housing as a human right is square one. Without it, we risk the loss of dignity, inclusion, employment, safety, personal fulfillment, and freedom, as well as our ability to be innovative, resilient, and caring because, Mr. Speaker, we are then less than human. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.